Late last month, a large box arrived at Dove Valley with Chris Gronkowski's name on it. Inside were dozens of pairs of extra-extra-large blue and orange Zubaz pants.

Immediately, Gronkowski became the most popular man in the locker room, as Bronco after Bronco rifled through the box to grab a pair of the early-1990s throwback zebra-striped pants.

Yes, as the Broncos prepare to face New England and their uber- talented tight end Rob Gronkowski on Sunday, let us not forget that Denver has its own popular Gronkowski here too.

Fullback Chris, two years older than Rob, arrived in Denver last spring in a trade with Indianapolis. That sets up a brother-vs.-brother matchup in Foxborough, Mass., with the winner claiming family bragging rights.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski
(Getty Images file)

So, who will Mr. and Mrs. Gronkowski be cheering for?

"They won't tell me," Gronkowski said. "So we're going to have to see on game day what jersey they are wearing."

Q: So you're the middle of five Gronkowski brothers. What was that like for you growing up?

A: It's sweet. Everyone always says the middle child is the worst or whatever — what do they say? That everyone forgets about them? But that's not true. That's not true in my family. I got to play with my older brother in high school and college, and I played with my younger brother in high school and college, so I kind of get to do everything, so it was really pretty sweet. I get the best of everything.

Q: What makes you different from your brothers Rob and Dan (the former Broncos tight end)?

Advertisement

A: I'm not 6-6½. I'm shorter. For some reason, they all got to be 6-6. Basically they call me the little one. I'm probably the best; I just didn't get the height. If I was 6-6, they wouldn't even know who Rob was.

Q: They both play tight end. How does playing fullback suit you?

A: You get to go out there and hit someone as hard as you can, so that's pretty cool. And every once in a while, you get some passes. That's also awesome. And maybe a handoff here and there.

Q: What else makes you unique in your family?

A: I'm way smarter than them. Especially Rob. I hit harder than them. You can write all of these things.

Q: If you weren't playing football, what would you be doing?

A: I'd probably be working for my dad, with my brother. He owns retail fitness stores. Does weight rooms for teams. Maybe using my degree for once.

Q: What was your major at Arizona?

A: Accounting. I used to be smart. It was the hardest major, so I took it. It's not very exciting.

Q: How would you describe your role here in Denver's offense?

A: When I got to Indy they said that Peyton (Manning) had always wanted a fullback. The role was a little bigger in camp and preseason, I think, because we were running the ball more, and the other quarterbacks ran. Once Peyton gets in there, it's kind of his show, and whatever he's feeling that day — if he can run no-huddle and get an advantage on the defense, that's what he's going to do. I'm playing all the special teams, trying to be one of the core players there. So that's what I'm trying to do for now, and I'm sure as the season goes on, my role will probably change on offense. When we get some big leads, I'm sure we'll run the ball a lot more.

Chris Gronkowski file

Height: 6-foot-2.

Weight: 245 pounds.

Experience: Third year.

Draft: Undrafted, signed with Dallas as a college free agent in 2010.

Career path: Spent 2010 with Cowboys and 2011 with Colts; traded to Denver on May 23 for cornerback Cassius Vaughn.

2012 stats: Four games, one catch for 11 yards; plays on all special- teams units, and has one tackle.

Rockies relief pitcher John Axford, who hasn't pitched for the team since last Wednesday, was forced to leave spring training camp after his 2-year-old son was bit by a rattlesnake twice in his right foot.

One-day event to run slide down University HillIt's not quite the alternative mode of transportation that Boulder's used to, but, for one day this summer, residents will be able to traverse several city blocks atop inflatable tubes.

DETROIT (AP) — In a story March 27 about a 'Little Syria' exhibit going to Ellis Island, The Associated Press, due to incorrect information from the Arab American National Museum, erroneously reported the date the exhibit will open. Full Story